Greetings, fellow Avilones. How are your holiday plans coming along? Still shopping for presents, arranging for travel, preparing for guests, the usual hustle and bustle? How is it that December seems to descend upon us so quickly each year with its copious amounts of joy, stress and relief when it’s all over? Scrooge though I can be, I mostly look forward to the “it’s all over” phase – bah humbug! Seriously though, I wish everyone the best of all celebrations – time with family and friends - to help remind us of what’s important. Sadly, I am compelled to include a message this year that coincides with my December 2018 column – that being for us to save a little time to think about our Northern and Southern California neighbors who once again were recently struck by life altering fires, power outages, and displacement. Odd how history tends to repeat itself, both the good and bad.
On a positive note, this is also the time of year when I get to announce the happy news – that being “Foundation” grant recipients for the coming year. At our November meeting, 17 grants were awarded, totaling $66,000. Beneficiaries for 2020 funding are the Central Coast Aquarium, Avila Beach Civic Association, Cancer Well-Fit, Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers, Avila Beach Jr. Lifeguards Program, People’s Self-Help Housing, Port San Luis Harbor District, Friends of Avila Pier, Bellevue-Santa Fe Charter School, the Noor Foundation, Operation Surf Central Coast, the Surfrider Foundation, and KCBX Public Radio. Plus, we will continue to support the Free Avila Trolley and home delivery of the Avila Beach Life news publication. For details about grant recipients and their specific programs, I invite you to visit our website – www.avilabeachfoundation.org.
Please bear with me as I deliver this “commercial moment” – one that I publish each year to remind all you fellow Avilones that the “Foundation” is here to effectively and efficiently serve our community, and to also draw upon the collective resources of those who live here to help our town continue to thrive. We are a small and humble organization that has invested nearly $3 million dollars in our community since becoming established in 1998. Most of this has come from monies in the “Foundation’s” professionally managed endowment portfolio, but some has come through generous contributions from folks who want to help us make a difference. There are several ways to do so, such as establishing a Donor Advised Fund of your own, or by contributing to any of our existing Project Funds, including the Avila Beach Public Art Development and Restoration Fund, the Emerging Needs and Opportunities Fund, the Avila Beach Trails Improvements Fund, the Richard and Kathleen Zacky Family Foundation Fund, or the Joan Sargen Avila Beach Communities Enrichment Fund. Donations to any of these funds are fully tax deductible, and no management fees are taken by the “Foundation”. Please get in touch with me if you wish to discuss the possibilities. And don’t forget, any donation, regardless of amount, entitles you to receive one or more of our limited edition, “Proud Avilone” license plate frames! ‘Tis the season of giving.
You may recall that in the October issue of “Avila Beach Life” we challenged readers to download our Avila Beach Historical Tour App, and take the five-question Open App Quiz. As an inducement to do so, we offered to enter successful respondents in a drawing, with the winner receiving a $50 gift card to the Avila Beach eatery of their choice, along with a Free Tour for two at the Point San Luis Lighthouse. I have to admit that I anticipated a robust response, considering the seemingly strong interest in Avila Beach history among the locals, and the prize awaiting. Well, that thud you hear is the dud that landed, as only nine people completed the quiz. But rather than dwell upon an idea that didn’t light up the sky, I instead choose to applaud those who played the game – Bruce Brandenburg, Mike Ginn, Betty Hartig, Jim Hartig, John Kirby, Mary Matakovich, Cheryl Matter, Elisa Rey and Karen Singer. I crown you as “Royal Keepers of Avila History” – an unofficial title you can wear with pride. And now, with much fanfare and a resounding drum roll, I am pleased to announce the winner of the grand prize drawing, randomly chosen by Post Office Mary. Congratulations to Cheryl Matter! I hope you enjoy your prizes.
Last but not least come two things I remind you of each December. Cal Fire Battalion Chief Paul Lee says it’s time to replace the batteries in our smoke alarms and check our carbon monoxide detectors. The seasonal changes in daylight savings each year are the perfect periods to complete these tasks. And be sure to always purchase your postage and ship your packages at our local Avila Beach Post Office to keep it financially viable. We are so fortunate to be able to avoid the long lines at busier post offices in San Luis Obispo. The friendly and helpful services of Mary, Julie and Cindy are icing on the cake.
That’s it for now, fellow Avilones. Have a wonderful Christmas, Hanukkah, or whatever it is you celebrate this time of year.
See you at the beach!
On a positive note, this is also the time of year when I get to announce the happy news – that being “Foundation” grant recipients for the coming year. At our November meeting, 17 grants were awarded, totaling $66,000. Beneficiaries for 2020 funding are the Central Coast Aquarium, Avila Beach Civic Association, Cancer Well-Fit, Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers, Avila Beach Jr. Lifeguards Program, People’s Self-Help Housing, Port San Luis Harbor District, Friends of Avila Pier, Bellevue-Santa Fe Charter School, the Noor Foundation, Operation Surf Central Coast, the Surfrider Foundation, and KCBX Public Radio. Plus, we will continue to support the Free Avila Trolley and home delivery of the Avila Beach Life news publication. For details about grant recipients and their specific programs, I invite you to visit our website – www.avilabeachfoundation.org.
Please bear with me as I deliver this “commercial moment” – one that I publish each year to remind all you fellow Avilones that the “Foundation” is here to effectively and efficiently serve our community, and to also draw upon the collective resources of those who live here to help our town continue to thrive. We are a small and humble organization that has invested nearly $3 million dollars in our community since becoming established in 1998. Most of this has come from monies in the “Foundation’s” professionally managed endowment portfolio, but some has come through generous contributions from folks who want to help us make a difference. There are several ways to do so, such as establishing a Donor Advised Fund of your own, or by contributing to any of our existing Project Funds, including the Avila Beach Public Art Development and Restoration Fund, the Emerging Needs and Opportunities Fund, the Avila Beach Trails Improvements Fund, the Richard and Kathleen Zacky Family Foundation Fund, or the Joan Sargen Avila Beach Communities Enrichment Fund. Donations to any of these funds are fully tax deductible, and no management fees are taken by the “Foundation”. Please get in touch with me if you wish to discuss the possibilities. And don’t forget, any donation, regardless of amount, entitles you to receive one or more of our limited edition, “Proud Avilone” license plate frames! ‘Tis the season of giving.
You may recall that in the October issue of “Avila Beach Life” we challenged readers to download our Avila Beach Historical Tour App, and take the five-question Open App Quiz. As an inducement to do so, we offered to enter successful respondents in a drawing, with the winner receiving a $50 gift card to the Avila Beach eatery of their choice, along with a Free Tour for two at the Point San Luis Lighthouse. I have to admit that I anticipated a robust response, considering the seemingly strong interest in Avila Beach history among the locals, and the prize awaiting. Well, that thud you hear is the dud that landed, as only nine people completed the quiz. But rather than dwell upon an idea that didn’t light up the sky, I instead choose to applaud those who played the game – Bruce Brandenburg, Mike Ginn, Betty Hartig, Jim Hartig, John Kirby, Mary Matakovich, Cheryl Matter, Elisa Rey and Karen Singer. I crown you as “Royal Keepers of Avila History” – an unofficial title you can wear with pride. And now, with much fanfare and a resounding drum roll, I am pleased to announce the winner of the grand prize drawing, randomly chosen by Post Office Mary. Congratulations to Cheryl Matter! I hope you enjoy your prizes.
Last but not least come two things I remind you of each December. Cal Fire Battalion Chief Paul Lee says it’s time to replace the batteries in our smoke alarms and check our carbon monoxide detectors. The seasonal changes in daylight savings each year are the perfect periods to complete these tasks. And be sure to always purchase your postage and ship your packages at our local Avila Beach Post Office to keep it financially viable. We are so fortunate to be able to avoid the long lines at busier post offices in San Luis Obispo. The friendly and helpful services of Mary, Julie and Cindy are icing on the cake.
That’s it for now, fellow Avilones. Have a wonderful Christmas, Hanukkah, or whatever it is you celebrate this time of year.
See you at the beach!
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